Cappies review: Holy Trinity presents poignant production of Of Mice and Men

During the Great Depression, employment, hope, and acceptance were scarce amongst millions of struggling Americans. At a time when discrimination and ignorance dominated society, those who were considered lesser were condemned to be hated. Holy Trinity Catholic High School’s production of Of Mice and Men told the story of friendship beyond these limitations with conviction and intensity.

The novel Of Mice and Men was written by the infamous John Steinbeck in 1937. Steinbeck’s stage adaptation debuted the same year and ran for 207 performances under the direction of George S. Kaufman. Of Mice and Men tells the story of George Milton and his traveling partner and best friend Lennie Small. Lennie lives with a mental disability, however George’s primary concern is that they find work in California. The pair begins working on a ranch under the supervision of The Boss and her son Curley, an angry and jealous young man. Lonely and desperate for connection, Curley’s Wife approaches Lennie, and an innocent interaction quickly goes south when Lennie becomes frightened and lashes out. Suddenly, Lennie’s life is in jeopardy, and George must decide if saving Lennie means his survival, or a dignified death.

Stewart Penny performs as George Milton (left) and Tim Koniaev performs as Lennie Small (right) during Holy Trinity Catholic High School’s Cappies production of Of Mice and Men, on Dec. 14, 2017.Marion Pignat /
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Stewart Penny’s cultivated portrayal of George Milton exemplified his emotional versatility in the multi-layered character. He maintained authentic physicality as he stretched out while playing cards or squared his shoulders when confronting Curley’s Wife. Penny brought necessary tension to challenging scenes through pained facial expressions and a deep sadness in his voice.

Alongside Penny was Tim Koniaev as the sweet-natured Lennie. He maneuvered a difficult character with grace through appropriately shaky mannerisms and child-like vocal tone.

In the role of Curley, Thomas Publow maintained a crisp Southern accent and strong emotion, ranging from furious in his fight with Lennie to heartbroken as he bawled his late wife’s name. His articulate delivery and commanding stage presence added depth to his performance.

The elaborate set was designed and constructed by The Trinity Crew, filling the stage while being both accurate and functional. Three sturdy walls made with intricately painted beams created the ranch bunkhouse, and once flipped became Crooks’s bedroom and the barn. Bunk beds, hay barrels, a wooden table and several chairs completed the ambience of the workers’ surroundings.

The lighting of this production, executed by Kaitlin Franks, Ruth Mekonnen and William McCarthy provided atmosphere to scenes ranging from light-hearted to tragic. The dynamic lighting included lights behind the wall of the bunkhouse so that characters could be seen passing by, as well as hanging lamps and gels. Blue and red gels indicated time of day and the intensity of scenes, with a fiery sunset occurring during the death of Curley’s Wife.

The props were accurate to the time and contributed heavily to the development of characters. Various bottles of liquor, a deck of cards and Lennie’s mouse were crucial to the authenticity of scenes. George’s gun worked excellently, its gunshot jarring the audience. The volume and the horrified silence that followed were just as powerful as the dialogue that preceded it.

Through dedicated acting, period accurate visuals, and skilled lighting, Holy Trinity’s poignant performance of Of Mice and Men exemplified what happens when hope is lost, but the intimacy of friendship remains.

Cassandra Richardson, Lead Critic A. Y. Jackson Secondary School

Dirty denim-on-denim, broke farmhands, and true friendship – this is the American Dream! In Holy Trinity Catholic High School’s production Of Mice and Men, injustice and poverty plagued the best of men and false accusations threatened to lead to the ultimate sacrifice.

Based on the novel by John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men follows George and Lennie, two friends who travel together to various farms, searching for work during the Great Depression. They dream of one day owning their own farm but are held back by financial difficulties and Lennie’s tendency to get the duo into trouble. Hired to work on a farm in California, it seems like the friends are one step closer to their dreams, but trouble brews when childlike Lennie falls for the boss’s flirtatious wife.

The rustic set, designed by the Trinity Crew, was appropriate to the period and, while simplistic, had the right amount of detail. The actors utilized the fully functional space well, from hopping up on bunk beds, to walking behind the barn walls, so their shadows could be seen. All set pieces were stable and added a nice touch, including a flickering campfire. Lighting, done by Kaitlin Franks, William McCarthy, and Ruth Mekonnen, was creative and affected the tone of scenes using a variety of colour. Artistic choices were effective, such as backlighting that highlighted characters off-stage and conveyed the time of day.

In the role of George, Stewart Penny kept up a consistent accent, in tune with his heartfelt performance. Penny’s increasingly darker emotions felt genuine, thanks to his clear facial expressions and suitable reactions. Tim Koniaev, as Lennie, seemed childlike through his strong physicality. He stayed in character, constantly delivering his lines through a lisp. The two portrayed a noticeable contrast between the naive Lennie and roughed-up George, and the pattern of their relationship escalated naturally throughout the show.

Stewart Penny performs as George Milton (L), Thomas Publow performs as Curly (M), and Tim Koniaev performs as Lennie Small (R) during Holy Trinity Catholic High School’s Cappies production of Of Mice and Men, on December 14, 2017, in Ottawa, On.Marion Pignat /
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The show featured an all-around strong cast, with a vast range of personalities. A sensible pace, natural movement, and touching dynamics kept Of Mice and Men engaging. In the role of Curley, Thomas Publow was a distinct antagonist, made evident by his vocal projection and powerful stage presence. The fight scene between Curley and Lennie was well choreographed and compelling to watch. As Candy, Maeve Devries effectively demonstrated her character’s old age through physicality, despite the difficulties of using one arm and controlling a dog.

The hair and makeup team of Noushin Rahman, Kaitlin Franks and Maeve Devries pulled off detailed looks – wrinkles, grey hairs, and grimy skin – all of which popped on stage. The crew effortlessly showcased an assortment of social classes, by mixing up hairstyles and colour palettes. Sound, done by Kaitlin Franks and William McCarthy, was timely and subtle and allowed the audience to fall right into the story. Both the actors and effects were amplified to the proper volume.

Holy Trinity Catholic High School delivered a heart-wrenching performance, complemented by a beautiful set and dedication to accents. Even in the stickiest of situations, true friends look out for each other – and that’s enough.

Jagnoor Saran, Lead Critic Elmwood School

The beauty of brotherhood lies in its rarity. After all, how often do we find the truest of friendships? Holy Trinity Catholic High School’s remarkable rendition of Of Mice and Men showcased this coveted relationship with ease.

A depiction of the American Dream in all its glory, John Steinbeck’s internationally renowned novel was arguably his most popular, achieving success as a Broadway Play and three acclaimed films. This tale of hope and dreams follows two young men – the responsible and determined George Milton, and his innocent and simple-minded companion, Lennie Smalls. Set on a ranch in California in the midst of the Great Depression, the two are on the hunt for work. After being hired at a farm, the duo is met with a multitude of characters that bring both conflict and new friendships. However, decisions must me made when Lennie becomes a victim of his own strength, as his love for “soft things” accidentally kills one of said characters.

The show was anchored by every member of the 10-person cast, each of whom delivered an emotional and captivating performance that helped convey the message behind the script. The entire cast impressed with flawless Southern accents, which were impeccably consistent throughout the length of the play.

Encapsulating the fiery character of George was Stewart Penny. Penny’s wistful portrayal illustrated the complexity of his character, as he was able to skilfully convey a variety of emotions, such as anger, despair, and happiness. His classic Southern gait, along with his expressive gesticulations, was truly transformative of his performance. Tim Koniaev’s depiction of Lennie’s vulnerable and child-like disposition was demonstrated by his physicality and simple ministrations; the anxious twiddles of his fingers when being reprimanded by George, and the swinging of his feet when sitting on his bed, made for an exceptional portrayal.

Maeve Devries performs as Candy, during Holy Trinity Catholic High School’s Cappies production of Of Mice and Men, on December 14, 2017, in Ottawa, On.Marion Pignat /
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Zoe Johnston’s embodiment of Crooks, the bitter and cynical stable hand, was phenomenal. From her boisterous laugh and consistent hunched back to her poignant talk with Lennie and vivacious facial expressions, Johnston was in character every second she was on stage. Thomas Publow delineated the aggressive Curley with ferocity and gusto, commanding the stage with his strong vitality and movements.

The Trinity Crew designed and created a stunning set of a bucolic barn; the wooden panels and rustic bunk beds were perfectly fitting for the play. The set was later spun around to create different scenes – an impressive aspect of the production. Lighting was done by Kaitlin Franks, and enhanced the emotions happening on stage as well as the general ambiance. Different colours were used to heighten the mood, such as red during highly intense scenes, and blue during solemn ones.

Of Mice and Men elucidated the beauty of camaraderie, illustrated the importance of hope, and showcased the value of dreams. This play is an endeavour most can only dream of accomplishing, yet Holy Trinity Catholic High School undertook this feat with aplomb.

Stephanie Townsend, Critic Elmwood School

Brotherhood is a crucial yet rare dynamic that many yearn to attain. Nevertheless, duo George and Lennie of Holy Trinity Catholic High School’s production of Of Mice and Men achieved such a relationship and showcased the beauty and value with poise and ease.

Set on a ranch in California in the midst of the Great Depression, this rendition of John Steinbeck’s classic novel tells the story of hope and despair. George Milton, a fiery and responsible young man, along with his big-in-stature yet naive comrade Lennie Small, embarks on a hunt for work. Upon their arrival at a ranch, the two are met with a multitude of characters with whom they grow close. However, when Lennie’s adoration for “soft things” causes the death of one such character, George is faced with one of the most challenging tasks: to kill Lennie.

Delivering an emotionally driven performance, the entire cast demonstrated the extremes of anger, desperation, and hopelessness, conveying these sentiments through voice as well as their physicality and mannerisms. Tim Koniaev’s portrayal of Lennie’s child-like and innocent behaviour was made apparent through the swinging of his feet when situated on his bed or the nervous twiddles of his fingers when being scolded by George. As well, Stewart Penny’s portrayal of George’s internal struggle was evident in the quivering of both his hands and voice. Another aspect to be noted was the cast’s impeccable execution of Southern accents, which were consistent throughout the entirety of the play, adding to the general atmosphere of the performance.

Stewart Penny performs as George Milton (L) and Noushin Rahman performs as The Boss (R), during Holy Trinity Catholic High School’s Cappies production of Of Mice and Men, on December 14, 2017 in Ottawa, On.Marion Pignat /
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Complementing the dynamic of the two younger men was Maeve Devries’ embodiment of Candy, an older worker on the farm. Devries demonstrated immense skill, delivering emotional monologues and a powerful stage presence. Thomas Publow’s performance as Curley, the antagonist, was one filled with strong dialogue and movement. Publow delivered his lines with ferocity and executed his ornery demeanour flawlessly.

The Trinity Crew worked to create the scene of a rustic barn, achieving a remarkably authentic final product. The stained wooden panels and bucolic bunk beds served as a fitting set design, acting as the main stage for much of the plot. Later, the set was spun around and moved to create various different sets, which was an impressive element of the show. The extension of the stage, dressed with greenery and rocks, created a felicitous outdoor hiding space for the two boys. The actors also made good use of the aisle and space around the audience, bringing the action closer to the spectators.

The lighting, done by Kaitlin Franks, proved to add an additional level of depth and emotion to the performance. Colours such as red during anger driven scenes and blue during sombre ones reflected the mood and drew the focus on particular moments between characters. As well, the back drop of colour behind the wooden boards of the ranch walls shone through to emphasize the time of day, a mixture of orange and yellows in the morning and different hues of blue for the afternoon and evening. This detail deepened the complexity of the set and further added to the scene of a late Californian summer.

Holy Trinity Catholic High School’s performance of Of Mice and Men was striking and impactful, a reminder of the importance of comradery and the aftermath of our decisions. The cast and crew proved that this story is one of morals and truth – one that should not be forgotten.

Jennifer Rasp, Critic All Saints High School

The hardest decisions are not the ones we make for ourselves, but the ones we must make for others. In today’s world, the friend that once would have taken a bullet for another could later be the one pulling the trigger, and this is the main conflict depicted in Holy Trinity Catholic High School’s production of Of Mice and Men.

Winner of the New York Drama Critics Circle Best Play Award in 1938, John Steinbeck’s adaptation is a tragic drama based on his bestselling novel of the same name. At its roots a story of hope, Of Mice and Men begins with George and Lennie’s dream of making a home on farmland in California, but evolves into chaos after Lennie’s well-intentioned kindness pits him against the ranch’s workers.

Stewart Penny in his role as George Milton was capable of both enticing Lennie in exuberance about their future and later reciting this spiel with trembling hands and a voice devoid of hope. Throughout the entirety of the last scene the agony of holding a gun to his friend’s head was displayed nakedly in his eyes. Tim Koniaev, who played Lennie Small, and was exceptional at wilting his body to fit the timid approach of Lennie’s character, joined him. In scenes when Lennie was not the focus Koniaev could still be seen possessing this by swinging his legs in childlike glee and smiling to himself.

The two were opposed by Thomas Publow, portraying the antagonistic farm boy Curley with both fists clenched. His vocal performance involved layering a southern accent over bouts of anger, and this exploded into action after his wife was murdered and he declared he would kill Lennie, letting every syllable he spoke drip with venom. Arina Smirnyagina’s portrayal of Curley’s wife also relied on speech, but contrarily she laced every word with a sweet, southern belle accent that, combined with her sensual body language, made her romantic advances on Lennie potent.

Stewart Penny performs as George Milton (L) and Tim Koniaev performs as Lennie Small (R) during Holy Trinity Catholic High School’s Cappies production of Of Mice and Men, on December 14, 2017, in Ottawa, On.Marion Pignat /
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Complementing the southern accents and cowboy hats were the expertly crafted ranch sets done by The Trinity Crew. Not only were the set pieces practical, but they were also chock-full of details like jam jars, hay bales, and bunk beds; all were used in excellent composition. The crew also took advantage of the curtains and foreground for settings like the riverbed where the silhouettes left by tree stumps worked in conjunction with the fog to make the atmospheric final confrontation nail biting.

Salinas Valley flourished under Kaitlin Franks’ minimal but effective lighting direction. Franks’ backlighting behind the barn set orchestrated the time of day through colour and functioned to eclipse actors going offstage to keep the set design credible. This, and the red mid-tones intensifying when Lennie murdered Curley’s wife, boosted the artistic integrity of her design.

Although the subject matter was bleak, Holy Trinity Catholic High School’s Of Mice and Men succeeded in leaving the impression that better days were around the corner.

About the reviews: The production at Holy Trinity Catholic High School was reviewed by 32 critics representing 10 schools. The critic discussions were mentored by teacher Helen Graves Smith of Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School and student reviews were edited and selected for publication by teacher Serena McCauley of All Saints High School, who could see only the reviews, not the names or schools of the reviewers.

Next review: Ashbury College’s production of Legally Blonde: The Musical.

About the CappiesThe Citizen and 24 high schools are participating in the Cappies, a Washington, D.C.-based program that uses high school critics to review high school theatre. The program is a unique partnership between the Citizen, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board. Two schools from other boards in the region and two private schools have also joined. The four winners of the lead acting categories will receive a bursary provided by the national law firm Gowling WLG Canada LLP. Follow the Cappies on Twitter @OttawaCappies.

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